Convertible container and serving device



May 22, 1951 R. G. STIGLER CONVERTIBLE CONTAINER AND SERVING DEVICE Filed Nov. 7, 1947 56 53 INVENTOR.

By @M& 44

WWO

ATTORNEYS Patented May 22, 1951 CONVERTIBLE CONTAINER AND SERVING DEVICE Robert G. Stigler, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Standard Molding Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 7, 1947, Serial No. 784,600

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a container or carrier for receiving and retaining articles for shipment or serving.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is of attractive appearance and strong but lightweight construction and which can be used as a shipping container and then readily converted to use as a serving tray for its contents.

Another object is to provide such a device having a removable handle for use when the device is employed for serving, the handle being locked in the body of the device when in use but being constructed for quick and easy removal and enclosure within the body to minimize the space required for shipment or storage of the device.

An additional object is to provide such a device having a cover including a decorative boss portion which is also capable of serving as a tool for use in unlocking the handle for removal from the body of the device.

'It is also an object of the invention to provide such a shipping or serving device wherein all the component parts may be readily formed of molded plastic and which can thus be produced in quantity at relatively low cost and from materials possessing such color characteristics and surface decoration as to enhance the attractive appearance of the device.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a container or carrier device in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the device with the handle removed and showing the cover in place, a portion of the cover being broken away to show internal construction;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section on the line 33 of Fi 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail view in side elevation showing the handle of the device;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 on a larger scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section on the same line as Fig. 3 but on a larger scale and showing the handle inserted in the device and locked in place;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the handle unlocked and ready for removal from the device; and i Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified construction.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates pre ferred embodiments of the invention, the main body Ill of the device includes a bottom Wall H and an annular side wall I2 extending upwardly from the bottom wall to form a receptacle and having a scalloped outer portion I3 for purposes of decoration. An upwardly extending boss I5 is located centrally of the bottom wall, and a p111 rality of equally spaced inner walls IE5 connect boss 15 with the outer wall l2 to divide'the interior of the receptacle into a corresponding plurality of separate compartments ll, five such walls l6 and compartments ll' being shown as an illustrative arrangement. The device is adapted to receive and carry many different types and shapes of articles such, for example, as poker chips, sewing articles, screws, bolts, nails, fruits such as dates and figs, nuts, candies, and many others, and the shape and relative sizes of the compartments Il may be varied accordingly. The boss portion 15 should preferably be so located horizontally as to be in line with the center of gravity of the main body to provide proper balance when the device is supported by means of its handle.

Fig. 1v shows a handle 26 mounted in boss I5 to facilitate use of the device for serving the contents of its compartments ll. Handle 2!! is-removable, and Figs. 2 and 3 show the body H] as provided with a cover 22 for use when the device is employed for shipping or storage purposes, the cover being formed to fit over the upwardly extending portion of the wall l2 above the scalloped portion 3 to retain the cover in closed position on the body as shown in Fig. 3. The entire body Ill and the handle and cover may be readily formed as complete units by molding from a suitable cellulose ester or other organic plastic, and the different parts may thus readily be produced in contrasting and harmonizing colors."

' The construction of the handle 28 and its detachable connection to the main bodyare shown in detail in Figs. 3 to 7. The boss I5 has a cylindrical passage extending completely therethroug'h which includes an upper portion 25 and a lower portion 26 of greater diameter than the portion 25, these passage portions thus defining therewith an annular shoulder 2? spaced upwardly from the bottom surface of the device. The handle 2c includes a hollow leg portion 38 and an end or foot portion 3! of greater diameter than the portion 39. The leg portion 3% is cylindrical in section and of such diameter as to be readily received within the upper passage portion 25 in boss l5. The foot portion 3] of the handle is of larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 30 and instead of being cylindrical in section is elliptical, and shown in Fig. 5. Also a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal slits 32 is provided in the sides of the handle leg which extend to the lower end thereof, these slits bein formed in the narrowest parts of foot portion 3| and extending upwardly into the leg 3% to form a pair of deformable tongues 33 which may be flexed or deformed inwardly against the natural resiliency of the material. This forms two substantially crescent shaped transverse shoulders 34, extending from one slit around the circumference of the leg to the other slit. Each shoulder varies in thickness from a thin section adjacent each slit and corresponding to the narrowest dimension of the foot portion, to a thicker section intermediate the slits and corresponding to the largest diameter of the foot portion.

The foot 3| is narrowest in the direction of a diameter passing through the slits 32, as shown in Fig. 5, and this diameter is such as to permit this portion of the foot to be readily received within passage portion 25. The foot 3! is widest in the parts intermediate slits 32 and is of such diameter across the widest parts of shoulders 34 as to provide for locking engagement of the two crescent shaped shoulder portions beneath the annular shoulder 21 when the handle is in assembled position with its foot portion 31 within passage portion 26 as shown in Fig. 6.

The foot portion 3| of the handle is inwardly tapered below the shoulders 34 to form cam surfaces 35 for flexing the tongues 33 inwardly as they are pushed into the upper end of passage portion 25. This insertion produces a camming action tending to flex the two tongues toward each other, and because of the lesser diameter of the foot in the zone of the slits, there is substantially no binding or excessive friction of the two tongue portions against the wall of passage 25 during the flexing and while the handle is being inserted.

The length of the handle leg portion 30 between the shoulder 36 at its upper end and the shoulders 34 is such that the leg can be pushed sufilciently into the passage to permit the foot portion 3i to clear the shoulder 21, whereupon the tongues 33 will expand to a position of locking engagement of the shoulders 34 below the shoulder 21. The length of the foot portion 3i from the shoulders St to its lower end is sufficiently less than the axial length of the passage portion 26 to permit this part of the handle to be entirely received within the passage portion 26, thus allowing the device to stand readily on a flat supporting surface as shown in Fig. 6. When the device is lifted by handle 28, the main body Ii) can rotate freely about the lower part of the handle, with its weight being supported on the shoulder 34.

In order to remove the handle 2i from the main body it, it is necessary first to flex the tongues 33 to a clearance position of the shoulders 3A with respect to the shoulder 27. This may be accomplished by inserting a suitable tool in the lower end of the passage portion 26 for cooperation with the cam surfaces 35 to compress the tongues 33 to the desired clearance position with respect to shoulder 21. The cover 22 of the device is accordingly formed with an annular boss portion 40 which is of such dimensions as to be received within the passage portion 26 to serve as an unlocking tool.

The unlocking operation is illustrated in Fig. 7,

and as shown, when the boss 40 is inserted within the lower end of passage portion 26 and the body and cover forced together, a deforming pressure is developed as a result of contact between the cam surfaces 35 and the boss 48 which flexes the tongues 33 towards each other suiliciently to release the locking engagement between the shoulders 34 and 27 and to raise the widest part of the foot portion 3! above the shoulder 21. Thereafter the handle may be simply withdrawn through the upper passage portion 25.

In the use of this device for shipping or storing small articles, the cover 22 is used to protect the contents, and the handle 20 may be readily enclosed within or packed with the device in a shipping carton or the like. In order to prevent entry of dust, moisture or the like to the chambers 57 through the hollow boss I5, a button or like member may be press fit into the upper end of passage portion 25 as shown in Fig. 3. When the device is to be used for serving, the button 65 can be readily removed and the handle inserted as described. Subsequent removal and replacement of the handle may be carried out as described in connection with Fig. l, and since the unlocking boss 49 is always readily available upon the cover of the device, this operation can be readily carried out whenever desired.

Fig. 8 shows a modified construction in which a separate unlocking button 50 is provided in place of the boss on the cover of the device. As shown, this button includes an annular portion 51 of substantially the same configuration as the boss til which may be readily inserted in the lower end of the passage portion 52 to unlock the handle as described in connection with Fig, '7. The button 50 also includes a portion 53 adapted to be force fit in the upper end 54 of the passage in the central boss 55, the upper part 54 of the passage being shown as of somewhat larger diameter than the intermediate portion 56 to facilitate the insertion and ready removal of the button 50. In this modified construction, the handle and its leg and locking portions are of the same construction shown in Figs. 4 to '7 and already described in connection therewith.

While the articles herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise articles, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible container and serving device of the character described comprising a main body having at least one article-receiving compartment, said body including a hollow boss located centrally thereof and open at both ends, the interior of said boss including a lower passage and an adjacent upper passage of lesser diameter than said lower passage to define therewith an annular shoulder, and a handle for said body including a portion adapted to be received in said upper passage, said handle having a portion at the lower end thereof adapted to be received in said lower passage and of greater diameter than said upper passage, said handle portions defining a transverse shoulder and being flexible to provide for the insertion of said lower handle portion in said upper passage followed by expansion of said lower handle portion within said lower passage to effect locking engagement between said transverse shoulder on said handle and said annular shoulder between said passages.

2. A convertible Container and serving-device of the character described" comprising a main body forming a receptacle for receiving articles to be carried, said body including a hollow boss open at both ends and having a lower cylindrical passage and an adjacent upper cylindrical passageof lesser diameter than said lower passage to define therewith an annular shoulder, and a handle for said device including an end portion adapted to be received in said lower passage and an adjacent cylindrical portion of lesser diameter than said upper passage defining with said end portion a transverse shoulder, said upper handle portion being of slightly greater axial length than the corresponding length of the portion of said boss above said annular'shoulder, said handle end portion being flexible to provide for insertion thereof in said upper passage followed by expansion thereof in said lower passage to efiect locking engagement between said transverse shoulder on said handle and said annular shoulder, said handle end portion being inwardly tapered below said transverse shoulder to provide cam surfaces facilitating said inserting movement of said handle into said upper passage.

3. A convertible container and serving device of the character described comprising a main body forming a receptacle for receiving articles to be carried, said body including a portion located centrally thereof defining a vertically arranged passage open at; both ends thereof, a portion at the lower endof said passage being of greater diameter than the adjacent upper portion to define therewith an annular shoulder, a handle for said device including an end portion of greater diameter than said upper passage portion and an adjacent upper portion of lesser diameter defining with said end portion a trans verse shoulder, said handle end portion being flexible to provide for insertion thereof in said upper passage portion followed by expansion thereof in said lower passage portion to effect locking engagement between said transverse shoulder on said handle and said annular shoulder in said passage, said handle end portion being inwardly tapered below said transverse shoulder to provide cam surfaces facilitating said inserting movement of said handle into said passage, a tool receivable in said lower passage portion for engagement with said cam surfaces to deform said handle end portion to a clearance position of said transverse shoulder with respect to said annular shoulder for effecting withdrawal of said handle, and means on said body for receiving and retaining said tool when said handle is withdrawn from said passage.

4. A convertible container and serving device of the character described comprising a main body forming a receptacle for receiving articles to be carried, said body, including a portion defining a cylindrical passage open at both ends thereof, a portion at the lower end of said passage being of greater diameter than the adjacent upper portion to define therewith an annular shoulder, a handle for said device including an end portion adapted to be received in said lower passage portion and an adjacent upper portion of lesser diameter defining with said end portion a transverse shoulder, said handle end portion being flexible to provide for insertion thereof in said upper passage portion followed by expansion thereof in said lower passage portion to effect locking engagement between said transverse 6 shoulder on said handle and said annular shoulder in said passage, said handle end portion being inwardly tapered below said transverse shoulder to provide cam surfaces facilitating said inserting movement of said handle into said pas sage, a removable cover for said body, said cover including an annular boss portion of such dimensions'as to be receivable within said lower passage portion for engagement with said cam surfaces to deform said handle end portion to a clearance position of said transverse shoulder with respect to said annular shoulder for effecting withdrawal of said handle, and cooperating means on said cover and said body for retaining said cover on said body when said handle is withdrawn from saidpassage.

5. A convertible container and serving device of the'character described comprising a main body having at least one article-receiving compartment, a hollow boss located centrally of said body and open at both ends thereof, the interior of said boss including a lower passage and an upper passage of lesser diameter than said lower passage forming an internal shoulder spaced between said open ends of said boss, a handle including a grip and a leg portion, said leg portion being of such radial dimensions as to be receivable in said upper passage, the lower end of said leg portion being split and having locking members thereon of greater radial dimensions than said upper passage, said locking members being resiliently deformable inwardly of said leg portion to provide for insertion of said leg portion in said upper passage and being adapted to expand in said lower passage for looking engagement with said shoulder preventing withdrawal of said handle from said boss, said locking members being of such axial dimensions as to be received entirely within said lower passage providing for standing said body upon a flat surface, and means on said locking members accessible through said open lower end of said boss providing for deformation of said looking members to a clearance position relative to said shoulder for withdrawal of said handle from said boss.

6. A convertible container and serving device of the character described comprising a main body having at least one article-receiving compartment, a hollow boss located centrally of said body and open at both ends thereof, a handle having a grip and a leg portion formed integrally therewith and slidably received within said boss, the lower end of said leg portion being split and having integral deformable locking members thereon, a shoulder within said boss in position to engage said locking members upon limited withdrawal of said handle to prevent separation of said handle from said boss, said shoulder being spaced from the lower end of said boss by a distance at least as great as the axial length of said locking members within said boss and below said shoulder providing for standing said body upon a flat surface, the lower ends of said locking members having thereon cam surfaces inclined towards the axis of said leg portion for engagement within an end portion of a tool receivable through said lower end of said boss to deform said locking members to a clearance position for complete withdrawal of said handle from said boss.

7. A carrier of the character described comprising a main body forming a receptacle for receiving articles to be carried, said body including a hollow boss open at both ends and '7 having therein a lower cylindrical passage and an adjacent upper cylindrical passage of lesser diameter than said lower passage to define therewith an annular shoulder, and a handle for said device of resilient material including a leg part adapted to be received in said upper passage and an enlarged foot part adapted to be received in said lower passage, said handle having a pair of oppositely disposed slits extending longitudinally thereof through said foot and a portion of said leg, said foot being of such width in the direction of a diameter passing through said slits as to be received in said upper passage, said foot being of greater diameter than said leg across portions disposed between said slits to form a pair of transverse shoulders adapted for locking engagement with said annular shoulder when said handle is inserted in said passages, said slits providing for inward deformation of said shoulders for facilitating insertion and sliding movement in said upper vpassage.

I ROBERT G. STIGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

